Checking in with the Cascadia Cup

The Sounders are currently second overall in the Cascadia Cup standings, trailing the Whitecaps FC by only point, having played one fewer match.

Since 2004, teams from Seattle, Portland and Vancouver have competed for a trophy separate from their respective league titles. This one is a supporters-created cup honoring the top team from the region. Labeled the Cascadia Cup and given each year to the team with the highest point total in matches featuring two of the three clubs, it is an extra source of pride for the clubs as they compete against their rivals while also paying tribute to the lifeblood of the rivalry itself – the fans.

In its third playing since all three teams competed in Major League Soccer, the 2013 Cascadia Cup has been the most hotly contested yet.

Through five matches in the annual derby competition among Seattle Sounders FC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC and the Portland Timbers, each team has led at one point or another.

After starting off with the Timbers drawing on the road with both Seattle and Vancouver, Sounders FC emerged with the first victory of the season’s rivalry matches in a 3-2 win over Vancouver on June 8 at CenturyLink Field. Whitecaps FC responded with a 2-0 win of its own over Seattle on July 6 at BC Place to draw even in the contest. They then leapt into the lead with a 1-1 draw in Portland on August 3.

Vancouver has five points through four matches to claim the lead at 1-1-2. Seattle is second with four points through three matches at 1-1-1, while Portland has three draws for three points in three matches at 0-0-3.

After hosting Portland on Sunday, Seattle will still have a home match against Vancouver on October 9 before concluding the Cascadia Cup matches for the season at JELD-WEN Field against Portland on October 13. Vancouver hosts Portland in the other remaining match on October 6.